Combined base-frame and bracket for signal-lamps.



No. 877,841. PATENTBD JAN. 28, 1908.

A. H. HANDLAN, JA. l y GOMBINED BASE FRAME AND BRACKET FOR SIGNA-LLAMPS. APPLIOATION FILED AUG. 5. 1907.

w 1% kw vv r. RJ. o n mi. w M a.

111s Nonms PETERS ca., wAsmNGraN. D. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALEXANDER H. HANDLAN, JR., OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

COMBINED BASE-FRAME AND BRACKET FOR SIGNAL-LAMPS. l

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALEXANDER H. HAND- LAN, Jr., a citizen ofl theUnited States of America, residing in the city of St. Louis and State ofMissouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in aCombined Base-Frame and Bracket for Signal-Lamps, of which the followingis a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings, forming part of this specification. l

My invention relates to a base frame adapted to be applied to anordinary signal lamp and the bracket for the support of said lamp whichis adapted to be fitted around said base frame and to serve as a meanswhereby the lamp may be quickly altered in position while supportedbythe bracket, in order that the signals afforded by the lamp may bespeedily changed and proper focusing of the lamp for such signals besecured.

A further object of my invention is to provide a signal lamp with areinforcing base frame that will prevent crushing or damaging of thebottom of the lamp when it is absent from its supporting bracket and isset down forcibly, or accidentally dropped from the hand of a personcarrying it.

A further object of my invention is to provide a bracket of the kindmentioned, that is less expensive than those commonly in use and due tothe employment of which the life of the signal lamp is increased byreason of avoidance of the usual strain of racking of the lamp onaccount of its being top heavy.

Figure I is a side elevation of my improved bracket and lamp base frame.Fig. II is a view partly in horizontal cross section through tlie'lowerportion of the signal lamp and the lamp base frame and bracket and withthe bracket shown partly in top or plan view. F ig. III is an enlargedhorizontal section taken through fragments of the signal lamp shell, thereinforcing base frame, and through one of the sections of the bracketring at the location of its spring catch. Fig. IV is an elevation of thebase frame and hinged ends of the bracket ring.

1 designates the shell of a signal lamp of any ordinary description.

2 is a reinforcing base frame of channel shape which surrounds the shellof the lamp at its bottom and is suitably secured to said shell bysuitable means such as rivets 3. The reinforcing base frame has broadguard flanges projected in an outward direction Specification of LettersPatent.

Patented. Jan. 28, 1908.

Application filed August 5y 1907. Serial No. 387.197.

from the shell of the lamp. In said ring between the broad, guardflanges is a series of openings 4 that are closed by the shell of thelamp at their inner ends and adapted to receive a catch pin to behereinafter more particularly mentioned. The reinforcing base frame ismade considerably heavier than the shell of the lamp and it consequentlyaffords a stiff unyielding base frame for the lamp that prevents injuryto the lamp shell, when the lamp is set down when not in use, oraccidentally dropped. It also serves as a rigid member for the receptionof the bracket members to be described and furthermore as a means ofadding weight to the bottom of the lamp to prevent said lamp having thecharacteristic of top heaviness'.

5 designates one section of a bracket ring which is provided with an arm6 that terminates in a flanged head 7 adapted to be removably mounted ina bracket support 8, as seen in Figs. I and II, The bracket ring section5 terminates at its end opposite that provided with the arm 6 in ahinged ear 9.

10 is a second section of the bracket ring that is provided at one endwith a hinged ear 11 adapted to mate with the hinged ear of the section5 and receive a pintle 12 that is inserted through the ears of both thering sections. The ring section 10 terminates at its end opposite thatprovided with the hinged ear in an arm 13 that is adapted to be fittedto .the arm 6 of the section 5. Both of the arms 6 and 13 are perforatedto receive a binding bolt 14 by which the ring sections are united. Thebracket ring constructed as described, is adapted to be applied to thereinforcing base frame 2 of the signal lamp when the ring sections arespread and to be secured to said reinforcing base frame when the bindingbolt 14 is inserted through the arms of the bracket ring sections andthe nut with which said bolt is provided is screwed onto the bolt.

15 is a spring catch arm that is secured at one end by a rivet 16 orother suitable means to one `of the bracket ring sections, for instancethe section 5. The other end of this catch arm is free and is providedwith a finger piece 17.

18 is a catch pin carried by the catch arm 15 and which projects throughan aperture 5 in the bracket ring section to which the catch arm issecured. This catch pin is adapted to enter either of the openings 4 inthe reinforcing base frame 2.

When a signal lamp provided with my reinforcing base frame is mounted inmy bracket, the lamp may be readily rotated within the ring of thebracket upon the catch arm 15 being drawn outwardly through the mediumof its finger piece whereby the catch pin 18 is withdrawn from theopening 4 in the reinforcing base frame, in which it was previouslypresent, the lamp having been shifted by rotating it to a desireddegree. To focus a lens of the lamp different from the one previouslyfocused, the catch arm returns to its normal position and causes its pinto engage in a proper opening 4 to hold the lamp from movement, as willbe readily appreciated. Inv making the reinforcing base frame of channelshape, I provide a broad guard flange at both the top and bottom of thebase frame between which the members of the bracket ring are confinedand vertical movement of the lamp in either an upward or a downwarddirection is prevented..-

I claim:

1. The combination, with a signal lamp having a shell extending to thebottom thereof, of a reinforcing base lframe surrounding and rigidlyfastened to, the bottom of said shell and having outwardly projectingbroad guard flanges providing a protection for the bottom of the shelland an extended support for the lamp.

2. rlhe combination, with a signal lamp having ashell extending to thebottom there of; of a reinforcing base frame, surrounding, and fastenedto, the bottom of saidshell, formed with a series of catch pin openingsclosed by the shell at their inner ends, and having outwardly projectingbroad guard flanges providing, a protection for the bottom of the shelland an extended support for the clamp, and a bracket having a sectionasupporting ring formed with a catch pin opening, and a spring catch armprovided with a catch pin having a finger piece and secured to thesupporting ring.

ALEXANDER H. HANDLAN, JR.

In the presence of LILY PosT, WM. H. SCOTT.

